Legendary Actor Moeen Akhtar passed away today. This is just a tribute to him. One of the greatest talent of the soil. Brought to you by AnkhMacholi.com Achievers: Samaa TV Interview by Maryam Arif “Rozee” is still afresh in our minds, “Half Plate” still leaves us in gales of laughter and “Eid Train” is still [...]

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Legendary Actor Moeen Akhtar passed away today. This is just a tribute to him. One of the greatest talent of the soil. Brought to you by AnkhMacholi.com

Achievers: Samaa TV Interview by Maryam Arif

“Rozee” is still afresh in our minds, “Half Plate” still leaves us in gales of laughter and “Eid Train” is still watched on YouTube, with about 40,000 views … think of comedy and you automatically think of Moin Akhtar.

The very name symbolises wit and a rare understanding of the nuances of comedy. The trajectory of comedy on television would be substantially bare without this stalwart and the troika of humour that he forms with Anwar Maqsood and Bushra Ansari.

We explores the legend’s literary endeavours and his thoughts on the entertainment scene of the country through a candid discussion with Pakistan’s ace comedian.

What made you who you are today?

I wanted to do something different from my childhood. I believe I was hardly 13 years old when I played the role of Shylock from Shakespeare’s play Merchant of Venice. So I always wanted to do something different but never knew what.

I started doing stand-up comedy in the year 1966-67, something different from other comedians, impersonating Anthony Queen and the speech of John F Kennedy in which I also copied his voice. It created a little difference and this was the reason [I believe that I] was received very well by the audience.

Tell us about your book?

I have penned my experiences with foreign diplomats and Indian icons who I have met and have had the privilege of performing with. Lata Mangeshker, Dilip Kumar and Madhuri Dixit are just to name a few.

In the book, I have been very precise, writing no soliloquies. [It’s more like] a video in which change of events take place with usual and unusual gossip. But I have tried not criticised anybody. There is not a single controversy in it. I want people to understand the man behind the book, who has created a positive vibe.

How did you maintain your signature style of comedy?

Anything which clicks is a classic. I was witty and it clicked. There is a very thin line between sobriety and obscenity.

What’s the most memorable compliment you’ve ever received?

It was way back in 2004. I was at the American Embassy for the processing of my visa. On my turn, the lady at the counter did not ask the routine investigation questions. I asked her the reason and she said, “There is no interview for the entertainers of this country. I saw your play Rozee and you were 100 times better than Dustin Hoffman.” Now there has never been a more credible comment coming my way than this one. I don’t know her name but to date I cherish her memory.

How do you see Pakistan’s current entertainment scene?

We are eliminating our own culture, by [promoting] Indian style of performances. If this trend continues, tomorrow there will be no celebrity in our society.

We need to categorise the Indian programming, so that we can continue to promote our own artists. We must educate the younger generation, compelling them to watch our way of cultural representation.

The media says that, “This is what people want to see.” It’s wrong, it’s what you show them!

Any final words on your contribution to Pakistani comedy?

Everything I did is a part of history now. To live with history is difficult but there will be people, who will say one day, “There was a man who did it and did it so differently.”

I am crying right now as i heard this news late. He is a hero. We all love him and will ayawls love him. Yes Moin Akhtar phir paida nahi ho ga. I dont know how to give him tribute. I use to watch his dramas on you tube. As umar shareef is crying i am crying too. Great man. May his soul rest in peace. Ameen.

I have shocked having listened the one of the legendary Entertainer of Pakistan passed away only 60. he was the pioneer as a role of University to more need to promote to new talent. (May allah his soul in heaven) Amin

I have shocked having listened the one of the legendary Entertainer of Pakistan passed away only 60. he was the pioneer as a role of University to more need to promote to new talent. (May his soul rest in peace in heaven) Amin

few days ago, my sister informed me “a legend has gone back to his Allah. Mr. Moeen Akhtar has left us. i looked at the sky and say,”oh My Dear Allah please take him in Your Janna according to your Promise that every one who will serve the humanity You will Grant him a lot of reward in return. So, that man served the humanity to give them Happiness and cheers. Alas i can’t met him in my life but He is still with us. We will miss you all the time.

few days ago, my sister informed me “a legend has gone back to his Allah. Mr. Moeen Akhtar has left us. i looked at the sky and say,”oh My Dear Allah please take him in Your Janna according to your Promise that every one who will serve the humanity You will Grant him a lot of reward in return. So, that man served the humanity to give them Happiness and cheers. Alas i can’t met him in my life but He is still with us. We will miss you all the time………..

May his soul rest in Peace. We will surely miss him but we should think and act upon what he said during the last part of his interview and also youngsters should not take emotional decisions… You were so right Sir Moain Akhtar, May Allah bless your sould and give peace to your family. Ameen

Every thing will go back to Allah, We will also go back to Allah and then we will be asked what you have done in your life. Indeed Moin Akhter was an asset for the nation. May Allah help us to realize our core objective of this life.

we will never forgot you Moin Akhter…you change the whole angle of comedy in Pakistan and create a different to give Smiles on the poor, and tired, faces, with Unforgettable, performances. which no politicians can do till now… Inna Lilahi Wa Inna Elahi Rajioon.. May Allah Rest your soul in Peace!!! forever and hereafter…tears

Words can’t express the sorrow which this heart bears for the tragic departure of our very very own,like a part of family for every Pakistani.Moin Akhtar you will always remain alive in our memories.Tears are rolling down from my eyes.I feel my self like being made orphanage.

Hi Jason,Good to have you back. I visited a few times each month to see if there was any new post.And today there is. What you are sinyag makes sense and I appreciate the reasons for putting your focus elsewhere.The story of the accounting firm is interesting and I think that it’s repeated all over the place within different businesses.I once started to work for a small company and found out that they were selling one product way below their cost. Not on purpose as some marketing ploy but unknowingly. Nobody had bothered to check the ROI for years.Being too busy growing the business can, as you point out, lead to more work and nothing to show for it in terms of ROI.I think that even if we are very careful that way, the trick is to correctly find the right time when to stop putting in more work on a project that doesn’t seem to produce any return.How do you know if you’ve given it enough time?It is often said that if you give up too early you could be missing a big pay off just by a few days or weeks.It would be interesting to know what you have to say about that.Vance